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Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2022This integrative literature review study analyzes the findings of the last 5 years of the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It is known that this nematode is found... (Review)
Review
This integrative literature review study analyzes the findings of the last 5 years of the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It is known that this nematode is found in the pulmonary arteries of rats, where it remains as a definitive host. From mice, the cycle spreads to animals, such as snails, which in contact with humans can trigger the disease. In humans, the parasite causes several neurological, abdominal manifestations and mainly meningitis. Based on the review of studies, its epidemiology shows worldwide distribution, although there are endemic cases for this parasite, such as asian countries. Laboratory findings generally showed altered CSF with turbidity, increased protein and eosinophilia, which generated meningeal signs in the patient, moreover MRI exams showed multiple alterations. Rare findings of the nematode in the eyeball, lung and signs of peritoneal inflammation were reported, which requires further studies to understand the whole pathophysiology. Finally, conservative treatment based on anthelmintics and anti-inflammatories brought good responses, although there are reports of deaths, which demonstrates the importance in the prevention and therapy of this disease.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Anthelmintics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Humans; Mice; Rats; Snails; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 36169525
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.262109 -
Acta Tropica Jan 2015Over 20 species of Angiostrongylus have been described from around the world, but only Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been confirmed to cause central nervous system... (Review)
Review
Over 20 species of Angiostrongylus have been described from around the world, but only Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been confirmed to cause central nervous system disease in humans. A neurotropic parasite that matures in the pulmonary arteries of rats, A. cantonensis is the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis in southern Asia and the Pacific and Caribbean islands. The parasite can also cause encephalitis/encephalomyelitis and rarely ocular angiostrongyliasis. The present paper reviews the life cycle, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and prognosis of A. cantonesis infection. Emphasis is given on the spectrum of central nervous system manifestations and disease pathogenesis.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Asia; Encephalomyelitis; Eosinophilia; Humans; Infectious Encephalitis; Larva; Life Cycle Stages; Meningitis; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 25312338
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.10.002 -
Parasites & Vectors Aug 2020Parasitic infections may cause significant effects on behavior, learning, and memory of the host. In the brain of mice heavily infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis,...
BACKGROUND
Parasitic infections may cause significant effects on behavior, learning, and memory of the host. In the brain of mice heavily infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, severe damage has been observed in the hippocampus. This component has been considered to have associations with spatial learning and memory in humans and vertebrates. This study was designed to determine the impairments in behavior, learning, and memory in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice heavily infected with the parasite.
METHODS
Each mouse was inoculated with 50 third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis. After infection, daily changes in weight and dietary consumption, worm recoveries and survival rates were determined. The forced swimming test, open field test, and Morris water maze test were employed to evaluate depression- and anxiety-like behavior as well as impairments in spatial learning and memory, respectively.
RESULTS
The worm recovery rate in the BALB/c mice was significantly lower than that of C57BL/6 mice from day 14 post-infection. The survival rate in infected BALB/c mice decreased to 0% by day 25 whereas those with swim-training survived three more days. On day 42, the C57BL/6 mice had a survival rate of 85.7% in the swimming group and 70% in the non-swimming group. Significant differences were found in weight between infected and non-infected BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice from day 13 and day 12, respectively with corresponding changes in their dietary consumption. Depression-like behavior was found in the infected BALB/c mice but not in C57BL/6 mice. However, anxiety-like behavior was found to occur only in C57BL/6 mice. Impaired spatial learning and memory were also found in the two strains of mice which occurred from day 14 post-infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study indicate that A. cantonensis causes depression, anxiety, and impairments in spatial learning and memory in heavily infected mice. Moreover, significantly higher severity was observed in the Th-2 dominant BALB/c mice.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Anxiety; Cognitive Dysfunction; Depression; Disease Models, Animal; Hippocampus; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 32778140
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04230-y -
Parasitology Jul 2022Given the importance of angiostrongyliasis as an emerging infectious disease of humans, companion animals, and wildlife, the current study focused on the transmission...
Given the importance of angiostrongyliasis as an emerging infectious disease of humans, companion animals, and wildlife, the current study focused on the transmission dynamics of first- and third-stage larvae of the parasitic nematode, . The migration of infective larvae and their subsequent distribution within the Lymnaeidae snail, , were investigated over time using microscopic examination of histological sections and fresh tissue. Snails were divided into four anatomical regions: (i) anterior and (ii) posterior cephalopedal masses, (iii) mantle skirt and (iv) visceral mass. The viability of free-swimming third-stage larvae, after their release from snail tissues, was evaluated by propidium iodide staining and infectivity by infection of Wistar rats. Snails were sequentially dissected over time to assess the number and anatomical distribution of larvae within each snail and hence infer their migration pathway. Herein, ongoing larval migratory activity was detected over 28 days post-infection. A comparison of infection rates and the larval distribution within the four designated snail regions demonstrated a significant relationship between anatomical region and density of infective larvae, with larvae mostly distributed in the anterior cephalopedal mass (43.6 ± 10.8%) and the mantle skirt (33.0 ± 8.8%). Propidium iodide staining showed that free-swimming third-stage larvae retained viability for between 4 and 8 weeks when stored under laboratory conditions. In contrast to viability, larval infectivity in rats remained for up to 2 weeks only. Knowledge gained from the current work could provide information on the development of new approaches to controlling the transmission of this parasite.
Topics: Angiostrongylus; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Larva; Propidium; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Snails; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 35445648
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022000488 -
Parasitology International Feb 2021Angiostrongylus cantonensis is one of the most widespread parasites causing central nervous system (CNS) diseases in mammals. Since the mitochondrion is an essential...
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is one of the most widespread parasites causing central nervous system (CNS) diseases in mammals. Since the mitochondrion is an essential cell organelle responsible for both physiological and pathological processes, its dysfunction might lead to inflammation and multiple disorders. In this study we aimed to investigate the changes in mitochondrial dynamics that occur in the mouse brain upon infection with A. cantonensis, using molecular biology techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and different staining methods. Here, we show that mouse brain infected with A. cantonensis exhibits altered mitochondrial dynamics, including fission, fusion, and biogenesis. Additionally, we demonstrate that caspases and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) were significantly upregulated in A. cantonensis-infected brain. These results are indicative of the occurrence of apoptosis during A. cantonensis infection, which was further confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. These findings suggest the change in mitochondrial dynamics in A. cantonensis-infected brain, providing another point of view on the pathogenesis of meningoencephalitis caused by A. cantonensis infection.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Brain; Larva; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Staining and Labeling; Strongylida Infections; Up-Regulation
PubMed: 33147498
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102231 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022Human helminthiasis affects approximately one in five people in the world and disproportionally affects the poorest and most deprived communities. Human...
Human helminthiasis affects approximately one in five people in the world and disproportionally affects the poorest and most deprived communities. Human angiostrongyliasis, caused by nematode , is a neglected emerging disease with escalating importance worldwide. Chemotherapy is the main control method for helminthiasis, but the therapeutic arsenal is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the antiparasitic and molecular properties of the major available anthelmintic drugs against . The first-stage larvae (L1), isolated from feces of an -infected rat, were exposed to a set of 12 anthelmintic drugs . The larvae were monitored, and the concentration- and time-dependent viability alterations were determined. From 12 anthelmintic drugs, six (ivermectin, salamectin, moxidectin, pyrantel pamoate, albendazole and levamisole) were identified to affect the viability of . The macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin, salamectin, moxidectin) and the imidazothiazole levamisole, were the most effective drugs, with IC ranging from 2.2 to 2.9 µM and a rapid onset of action. Albendazole, the most widely used anthelmintic in humans, had a slower onset of action, but an IC of 11.3 µM was achieved within 24 h. Molecular properties studies suggest that a less lipophilic character and low molecular weight could be favorable for the biological activity of the non-macrocyclic molecules. Collectively, our study revealed that macrocyclic lactones, levamisole, pyrantel pamoate, and albendazole are important anthelmintic agents against . The results of this study also suggest that L1 may be a particularly sensitive and useful model for anthelmintic studies.
PubMed: 35800438
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.901459 -
Parasitology Research Jul 2021The presence of zoonotic relevant Angiostrongylus cantonensis infections has recently been reported in rat final hosts and gastropod intermediate hosts in Tenerife,...
Autochthonous Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infections in native terrestrial gastropods from the Macaronesian Archipelago of Spain.
The presence of zoonotic relevant Angiostrongylus cantonensis infections has recently been reported in rat final hosts and gastropod intermediate hosts in Tenerife, Spain. However, data on A. cantonensis, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus prevalences in endemic gastropods for other islands of the Macaronesian Archipelago are still missing. In order to fill this gap, we conducted an epidemiological study on terrestrial native slug (Plutonia lamarckii) and snail (Cornu aspersum, Theba pisana, Rumina decollata) species in 27 selected locations of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, Lanzarote, La Palma and Fuerteventura. Overall, 131 terrestrial gastropods were collected in winter/spring season 2018/2019 and examined for the presence of metastrongyloid lungworm larvae via artificial digestion. The current data revealed a total prevalence of 4.6% for A. vasorum, 3.8% for A. abstrusus and 0.8% for A. cantonensis. In Tenerife, three lungworm species were detected, thereby re-confirming A. cantonensis endemicity for this island. Prevalences of snails (C. aspersum) originating from El Hierro were 5% for A. abstrusus and 15% for A. vasorum, respectively, with larval burdens up to 290 larvae per specimen. This epidemiological study indicates the presence of human, canine and feline lungworm species in Macaronesia, Spain. The current data-particularly those on anthropozoonotic A. cantonensis-call for a regular large-scale monitoring on intermediate hosts, paratenic hosts and definitive hosts to prevent further spread of lungworm-related diseases in humans and animals.
Topics: Angiostrongylus; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Gastropoda; Humans; Islands; Metastrongyloidea; Prevalence; Rats; Seasons; Spain; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 34180003
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07203-x -
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2022To explore the transcriptome profiling of the fourth-stage larvae of .
BACKGROUND
To explore the transcriptome profiling of the fourth-stage larvae of .
METHODS
Two groups of fourth-stage larvae were collected to extract total RNA in Zhejiang, China 2020. Then, mRNA was separated and reverse transcribed into cDNA. Next-generation sequencing was used to explore the transcriptome information. Finally, to obtain the biological annotation information, the transcriptome information was run against the related databases, including Nr, GO, COG, KOG and ORF.
RESULTS
Overall, 128667 unigenes and 193059 transcripts were obtained. The Nr annotations of unigenes and transcripts showed that was the 5th and 4th most related species, respectively. Meanwhile, the annotation of unigenes and transcripts by querying GO, COG, KOG and ORF showed that L4 was extremely active in gene expression, concerning signal transduction, transcription, posttranslational modification, metabolism, etc.
CONCLUSION
The fourth-stage larvae of have their own profiling in the transcriptome, which is related to signal transduction, transcription, posttranslational modification, metabolism, etc.
PubMed: 36694564
DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v17i4.11287 -
American Journal of Translational... 2021The two most common causes of eosinophilic meningitis (EOM) are the parasites: and . This study aimed to evaluate whether clinical factors can predict either...
OBJECTIVE
The two most common causes of eosinophilic meningitis (EOM) are the parasites: and . This study aimed to evaluate whether clinical factors can predict either neuroangiostrongyliasis or gnathostomiasis in EOM patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We included reports of patients with eosinophils in the CSF and either serological or pathological diagnosis of neuroangiostrongyliasis or gnathostomiasis published in 2014 or earlier and available on PubMed. Predictive clinical models were generated for neuroangiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis.
RESULTS
In total, 155 patients were included in the study, 24 in the gnathostomiasis group and 131 in the neuroangiostrongyliasis group. According to the separate models, factors associated with neuroangiostrongyliais were gender of male, snail exposure, and headache, and independent factors for gnathostomiasis were weakness (adjusted odds ratio 50.8) and radicular pain (adjusted odds ratio 35.3). The combined model identified two independent factors for neuroangiostrongyliasis: weakness and radicular pain. The laboratory models revealed that xanthochromic CSF perfectly predicted both neuroangiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis. Two other predictive factors were blood eosinophilia and CSF eosinophils, which positively predicted gnathostomiasis (adjusted odds ratios of 1.13 and 1.08, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Clinical factors may be predictive of neuroangiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis in EOM.
PubMed: 34650710
DOI: No ID Found -
Parasitology Nov 2022The rat lungworm is globally known to be the cause of oeosinophilic meningitis in humans. Another congener, , is closely related to and has been described as a...
The rat lungworm is globally known to be the cause of oeosinophilic meningitis in humans. Another congener, , is closely related to and has been described as a potential human pathogenic parasite. These 2 worms are similar in terms of life cycle, host range and morphological and genetic information. However, there are limited studies about their genetic diversity based on the 66-kDa protein-encoding gene. The objective of this study was to explore the 66-kDa protein sequence variation of and collected from Thailand. Two adult and 53 third-stage larval specimens of from 4 geographic locations in Thailand were molecularly identified using the 66-kDa protein gene. The phylogenetic trees (Bayesian inference tree and maximum-likelihood tree) showed that formed a monophyletic clade with a clear separation between and . The genetic distance between and varies from 0.82 to 2.86%, with a total of 16 variable sites. The analysis of genetic diversity revealed 1 and 5 new haplotypes of and , respectively, and showed genetic differences between the populations of and . The haplotype networks of and populations in Thailand are similar to those of populations in some countries, indicating the range expansion of genomic origin between populations in different areas. In conclusion, the 66-kDa protein gene was a good genetic marker for studying genetic diversity and discriminating between and .
PubMed: 36472511
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022001573